The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Illuminati \Il*lu`mi*na"ti\, n. pl. [L. illuminatus. See
Illuminate, v. t., and cf. Illuminee.]
Literally, those who are enlightened; -- variously applied as
follows:
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1. (Eccl.) Persons in the early church who had received
baptism; in which ceremony a lighted taper was given them,
as a symbol of the spiritual illumination they has
received by that sacrament.
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2. (Eccl. Hist.) Members of a sect which sprung up in Spain
about the year 1575. Their principal doctrine was, that,
by means of prayer, they had attained to so perfect a
state as to have no need of ordinances, sacraments, good
works, etc.; -- called also Alumbrados,
Perfectibilists, etc.
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3. (Mod. Hist.) Members of certain associations in Modern
Europe, who combined to promote social reforms, by which
they expected to raise men and society to perfection, esp.
of one originated in 1776 by Adam Weishaupt, professor of
canon law at Ingolstadt, which spread rapidly for a time,
but ceased after a few years.
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4. Also applied to:
(a) An obscure sect of French Familists;
(b) The Hesychasts, Mystics, and Quietists;
(c) The Rosicrucians.
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5. Any persons who profess special spiritual or intellectual
enlightenment.
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